NDE commences Extended Special Public Works Programme in Ebonyi

The Ebonyi State wing of the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) has flagged off the extended special public works program for 13,000 youths in the state.

The Nigeria Minister of Science and Technology, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu while addressing participants said the programme is part of the efforts of Nigerian President, Muhammadu Buhari to reduce hardship and suffering in the country.

Dr Onu said the aim of the programme is to help in the maintenance of public works of the various Governments.

“President Buhari took the decision to offer assistance to as many as 1,000 unemployed youths in every local Government Area in the Country. Here in Ebonyi State as many as 13,000 youths will benefit from the programme,” he said.

The Director-General of the Directorate, Mr Abubakar Nuhu Fikpo said the programme marks the actualisation of the single most far-reaching grassroots-based employment creation initiative in the history of Nigeria.

According to him, the extended special public works program has been designed as a veritable tool through which the lives of 774, 000 unemployed youths will be positively touched in the next three months.

He said the implementation of the 774,000 extended special public works programme will involve recruitment of 13,000 youths in the state with a collective payment to the participants to the tune of N84 million at N60,000 per participant for the three months period.

“Our communities will receive a facelift through the activities of the participants as they engage in various community and environment-specific public works”.

Mr Fikpo explained that appropriate working tools, as well as protective wears, have been provided for the participants to carry out their daily schedules.

On his part, the NDE State Coordinator, Mr Marcel Igboanude said he was confident that the proper implementation of the programme would contribute to the uplifting and provision of succour to unemployed Nigerians.

Nnenna.O